Statement by Arva R. Rice, President & CEO of New York Urban League On Decision in TAMIR RICE Case

New York, NY—We are troubled with the news that a police officer will not be indicted for the killing of twelve year old Tamir Rice. Once again a young black child’s life has been lost because some claim the boy may have posed a threat to the community. When a child’s life is taken on a playground for playing with a toy, how can any minority family of Cuyahoga have confidence in this police force or the judicial system?

As CEO of the New York Urban League, I encourage leaders of other states and localities to take courageous steps to police the police the same way Governor Cuomo has done in New York. Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 147 which appointed the New York State Attorney General as a special prosecutor in matters related to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement officers. This law was put into effect after advocates, community members and the families of Eric Garner, Amadou Diallo and Akai Gurley pushed to make sure that other families would not suffer similar anguish. Until more states adopt measures such as Governor Cuomo’s, I and other black leaders, will not be silent. For Tamir Rice justice was both delayed and denied. It is for those who remain to ensure Americans receive justice regardless of their race or zip code.